NYU School of Law Rankings

New York University School of Law (NYU Law), founded in 1835, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. Situated in New York City, NYU Law is renowned for its academic rigor, selectivity, and global influence. As part of New York University (NYU), one of the world’s top-ranked universities, the law school benefits from the university's extensive resources, diverse community, and central location in one of the world’s most dynamic legal and financial centers. Over the years, NYU Law has built a legacy of excellence, attracting talented students, faculty, and practitioners from around the globe.

Academic Programs and Specialties

NYU Law offers a wide range of degree programs designed to meet the needs of students at different stages of their legal careers. The primary degree programs offered include the Juris Doctor (J.D.), the Master of Laws (LL.M.), the Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.), and various joint degrees. The J.D. program is the core program at NYU Law, providing students with a comprehensive legal education that prepares them for a broad array of legal careers. The school’s LL.M. program is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, offering advanced study in specialized areas of law, including Taxation, International Law, Business Law, and Environmental Law. For those seeking to pursue academic careers or engage in high-level legal research, the J.S.D. program offers a path to advanced scholarship.

One of the defining features of NYU Law is its commitment to offering joint degrees, which allow students to combine their legal studies with other fields such as business, public administration, social work, and more. Joint degree programs such as the J.D./LL.M. in Taxation, J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A., and J.D./M.S.W. provide students with the opportunity to gain expertise in multiple disciplines, making them highly sought after by employers in diverse industries. These interdisciplinary programs are reflective of NYU Law’s holistic approach to legal education, emphasizing the interconnectedness of law with other fields of knowledge and practice.

The academic specialties at NYU Law are equally diverse, ensuring that students have access to world-class instruction in nearly every major area of law. The school is particularly known for its strengths in Business Law, Clinical Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, and Innovation Law. In particular, NYU Law’s programs in International Law and Tax Law are highly regarded and have earned top rankings year after year. The school’s commitment to providing hands-on experience through its Clinical Programs, which allow students to work directly with clients in areas such as immigration, criminal defense, and civil rights, sets it apart from many other law schools.

Notable Alumni

NYU Law has produced a long list of notable alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to various sectors, including government, business, and international organizations. The law school’s alumni network includes prominent figures such as Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou, U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander, and Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines. Other distinguished alumni include Nobel Peace Prize laureates Elihu Root and Mohamed ElBaradei, who both received the prestigious award for their work in international law and diplomacy. The success of these alumni underscores NYU Law’s commitment to producing leaders who can make a difference in the world.

In addition to these high-profile figures, NYU Law alumni work in a wide variety of roles across the legal profession, including partners at top law firms, in-house counsel at major corporations, judges, and advocates for public interest causes. The law school’s vast network of alumni is a testament to the value of its education and the lasting impact its graduates have on the legal world.

Rankings and Recognition

NYU Law consistently ranks among the top law schools in the United States, reflecting its excellence in teaching, scholarship, and impact on the legal profession. According to the US News & World Report 2010 rankings, NYU Law was ranked 5th nationally among the best law schools in the United States. This ranking is a reflection of the school’s exceptional faculty, strong academic programs, and the success of its graduates. NYU Law also ranks highly in specific areas of legal study, including being ranked 1st in Tax Law and International Law in the US News 2009 rankings. These specialties are particularly relevant given the school’s location in a global financial and legal hub, allowing students to engage directly with international organizations, multinational corporations, and government agencies.

In addition to its top rankings in various fields, NYU Law has earned recognition in broader assessments of legal education. In 2008, it was ranked 3rd in both the Thomas E. Brennan: Judging the Law Schools Ranking and in Vault’s ranking of the Top 25 Law Schools. These rankings highlight the strong reputation NYU Law enjoys among legal professionals, academics, and students alike. The school’s faculty is also highly regarded for its scholarship and contributions to legal theory, and the school’s research output is among the most influential in the legal field.

NYU Law’s part-time program is another example of its broad appeal and commitment to accessibility. The school was ranked 11th in the US News Ranking of Part-time Law Schools in 2010, offering a flexible option for students who wish to balance their legal studies with other commitments.